Monrovia, Liberia – After three years of rigorous coursework, the third group of vocational students from the ArcelorMittal Liberia Training Academy, also known as VTC, has graduated. In the African Bible College University auditorium, joyful men and women in gowns gathered for the graduation ceremony on November 30, 2024, where they danced to upbeat music and chanted songs of triumph. In the third batch, fifty-six (56) students finished their studies in several occupational fields: fitting (10), electrical (14), diesel department (14), and biolermaker (10). 7 persons completed the advanced training courses, Fitting & Turner and Instrumentation.
Nyekeh Y. Forkpa, an attorney-at-law and the Ministry of Education’s Deputy Minister for Administration, praised ArcelorMittal Liberia for the training program, stating, it supports the government’s efforts to get Liberians ready for Technical Vocational Education training.
Following the pattern of changes that accompany them, Deputy Minister Forkpa urged the graduates to utilize their current positions. According to him, being creative and adaptable to changes in the workplace are crucial for individuals to succeed in today’s market.
“To keep your profession from becoming outdated, Seek new innovations in your areas; learn new system and tools, and upscale your career with the technology that comes.”
In his keynote speech, Deputy Minister Forkpa also recognized that Liberia needs graduates more than they may realize, thus they must work hard to succeed in their careers and provide the required and desired results for the nation.
Additionally, he advised the graduates to be dedicated and do well on their own when they enter the workforce. “Remember to be dedicated to your tasks when working alone, as you will be evaluated on the job for what you believe others are not seeing,” he continued.
Emphasizing that women should not be limited to the hospitality industry but should also be encouraged to enroll in rigorous vocational programs that their peers accomplished, the Deputy Minister urged the graduates to encourage women to enroll in the AMLTA vocational training program and complete courses given by the school.
After sharing a narrative about his modest upbringing, the keynote speaker advised the graduates to avoid arrogance and exhibit humility if they wanted to achieve.
The CEO of ArcelorMittal Liberia, Michiel Vandermerwe, thanked the AMLTA management for training young people for technical positions associated with AML’s activities.
As the firm has constructed a processing concentrator with several positions, CEO Vandermerwe stated that it is crucial to prepare those whose abilities will be required in the operation. To this end, AMLTA is offering Liberians training to get them ready for the tasks of the future, he added.
In her capacity as a representative of the Booker T. Washington Institute, Dr. Nancy T. Freeman recognized ArcelorMittal’s contribution to offering high-quality vocational training. On behalf of BWI, she praised AML for the crucial role the business plays in Liberia’s socioeconomic advancement.
The AMLTA Manager, Dawie Loots, congratulated the graduates and said that they had not only won but had thrived in their career development. Mr. Loots encouraged them to put the information they have acquired over the last three years to use since their future is with them and how they handle the tasks they have developed would speak louder about them.
